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Hopes seem high that construction of a proposed 12-storey condominium tower along the Welland Recreational Canal will come to fruition.

A public information meeting was held at city hall Thursday evening to discuss applications for zoning and official plan amendments sought for the property.

Hamilton-based developer Ray Khanna is looking to construct a 70-unit building where the historic Welland Club, destroyed by fire last year, once stood.

The height of the proposed structure exceeds Welland’s 23-metre or eight-storey limit. Under bonus provisions of the Planning Act, however, developers are able to offer municipalities enhanced community benefits in exchange for the increased building height.

If the development at 1 Griffith St. is approved, it will become the tallest building in the city.

“If we needed to we could make it wider and flatter” to accommodate the proposed amount of living space and the city’s height restriction, said architectural manager Wayne Harrison, of Burlington-based Karp Namisniak Yamamoto Architects Inc.

The preferred option, however, is to go to 12 storeys, he said.

“People are willing to pay more to be higher,” Harrison said, adding the higher option also allows for better views around the building from surrounding properties and for more green space.

If the 12-storey option moves forward, the building will occupy 18.8% of the lot. If the 10-storey option were green lit, it would occupy 30% of the lot in order to maintain the same amount of floor space.

“Generally what happens if you ask for height is the town says ‘what’s in it for us,’” Harrison said. It’s expected, he added, that the city will make requests for benefits to the community to allow the height of the building to be approved.

Harrison said the condos will be aimed “toward people with money to bring money into the building and into downtown Welland.”

The developer, he added, was willing to spend more money on the shape of the building and the high end look of the glass to help attract the appropriate demographic to the facility.

“We want to bring in money and get people down here to help with the revitalization of downtown.”

The proposed facility would include 100 parking spaces, including 39 above ground and 61 below in a two-storey undergound lot. A geotechnical study has already been conducted to ensure the property can support an underground parking lot.

The building’s main street access would be off of Griffith St., with a smaller access off Regent St.

A traffic impact study has been conducted to determine if improvements need to be made to existing intersections. The study will be included in city staff’s recommendation report on the project’s requested amendments at the Sept. 11 meeting of council.

Longtime Welland resident Henry O’Keefe recalled a time when downtown was “hopping.” He said he’d like to see that life return to the downtown core, but the only way he believes that will happen is by building residences there.

“Welland needs this building. We need this,” he said.

O’Keefe questioned whether the developer is committed to actually constructing the building or just putting together a package to sell to another builder.

Khanna confirmed he is committed to building the project and spoke about some of his other projects in the area, including the 400-lot Meadow Heights Village subdivision in Port Colborne.

Before the shovels can hit the ground, if approval is granted, 50% of the units within the building would have to be sold, Khanna said. Once shovels are in the ground, construction is anticipated to take about two years.

Units would range in size from 1,800 square feet for the penthouse to 800 square feet for the building’s more standard condos. Price points for each condo, depending on the size, have yet to be confirmed.

Kathy Bernard, who lives right next to the proposed building site, was concerned the condos would take away from her view of the waterway.

While she admit renderings of the building were appealing, she was worried about its proximity to her home and for the developer’s ability to draw enough interest to fill the facility.

Concerns were also raised about the lack of prevailing winds the building may cause for nearby homes and whether parking in the area would become an increasing issue.

Though questions were asked about the facility and some concerns raised, many of the residents who brought up issues also offered well wishes for the project in the hopes it would ultimately move forward.

There’s still time to submit comments regarding the project to the city for inclusion in the recommendation report going before council in September. Comments will be received by the city’s planning department until Aug. 24.

By the numbers:

Height: 12 storeys

Number of units: 70

Unit size: 800-1,800 square feet

Price per unit: Yet to be determined.

Number of parking spaces: 39 above ground, 61 below.

Time to construct: About two years once shovels hit the ground.

Welland Club timeline:

1910: Construction of the Welland Club, a three-storey building with classical styling, begins beside the canal as a professional men’s club.

1911: Carpenters employed on the construction of the Welland Club go on strike seeking a five-

cent an hour increase. The contractor tries to bring in strike-breakers from out of own but these are persuaded to leave by the strikers. Contractor McKissop goes broke and leaves town but the club hires another contractor to complete the work.

1919: The problem of integrating returning soldiers into the local community by finding them work and homes is brought home to members of the Welland Club on Jan. 22, when Lt.-Col. (Trooper) Mulloy, who had been left blinded by the war, gives an impassioned address to local business leaders.

1945: Membership at the Welland Club has increased to 229.

1983: The Welland Club adds squash to its services, building two courts and hiring a pro to teach the sport, Barry Fitzpatrick.

2001: A fire at the Welland Club kitchen causes an estimated $70,000 in damages, but the historic building is saved by quick action of Welland firefighters and sturdy insulation which slowed the fire’s spread.